WhatsApp is developing a new feature that will allow users to create photo collages from within the app for status updates. The feature, inspired by Instagram’s Layouts, aims to make status updates more effective and easier to understand by letting users combine multiple photos into a neatly organized post. The collage feature will feature a “Layout” button when users attempt to post a media status. This button allows one to insert up to six images arranged in various grid arrangements, with the possibility of reorganizing images in the grid as desired.
This feature addresses the “chain stories” issue, where users post more than one status update in a short time to share multiple photos taken at a single event, resulting in a cluttered viewing experience for others. With the ability to create collages, WhatsApp aims to make it simpler and cleaner for users to share multiple photos together.
The feature is yet to be released and is not available to the public even in the latest beta versions. Nevertheless, upon release, it will simplify creating and sharing collages by incorporating the functionality directly into the app. The users will no longer need to rely on third-party applications to merge images before sharing them on WhatsApp.
Besides the collage option, WhatsApp is also working to introduce other features to improve the user experience. These include grouping reply messages as threaded conversations in order to reduce clutter and improve conversation flow. Additionally, WhatsApp is testing out monthly broadcast message sending limits to help users battle spam. For commercial accounts, there will be a cap on customized messages, with additional messages charged beyond a threshold.
Another feature in development is the “sticker-like photos” function, where one can superimpose pictures onto their status. These pictures may be transformed into different shapes like rectangles, squares, circles, hearts, or stars, thus giving users an added choice in customizing their status updates. This feature already exists for restricted users through the Google Play Beta Program but shall be available in a broader implementation in the coming future.
Overall, WhatsApp’s expansion of its status update functionality is one of a series of efforts to drive user engagement and interaction. With the addition of more visual storytelling capabilities, WhatsApp aims to more effectively compete with other social media platforms while continuing to maintain its core function as a messaging platform. All of these updates are part of an ongoing effort to improve the user experience and provide users with more creative options for using their status updates.
